Common Sense Media: Best Spy Movies for Kids

'True Lies' (1994)

Age: 14+

Parents need to know that this entertaining thriller combines an action blockbuster (that means lots of big explosions) and a screwball comedy about a married couple who are both hiding big secrets. The wife is contemplating an affair and ends up being pressured to pretend she’s a secret agent, while the husband is the real deal, a suave superspy who has convinced his family that he’s actually a boring computer salesman. Not only does it deliver plenty of excitement, it also has some astute things to say about honesty and ennui in marriage. The wife performs a risqué striptease in her underwear, and there’s a good deal of swearing. Also expect plenty of violence, including gunfights, car chases, some graphic hand-to-hand combat, and even a nuclear explosion. —Common Sense Media (Photo: 20th Century Fox)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Best Spy Movies ...Not many types of movies are as exciting as a good spy flick -- there's just something irresistible about secret agents, intrigue, and double crosses. Check out this list of our favorite movie spies for both tweens and teens, from "Spy Kids" to "James Bond." —Common Sense Media (Photo: United Artists)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that this action-packed adventure includes a little bit of potty humor (which most kids will find hilarious) and one almost-swear word. Younger children might be scared by the mutant creatures, but most will find them more silly than frightening. Characters are frequently in peril (though it's usually played for laughs), and there's a certain amount of head-bonking violence. But no one even gets a scratch, except for one villain, whose encounter with flames leaves her having a very bad hair day. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Dimension Films)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that "Agent Cody Banks" is a "James Bond"-like action movie for tweens filled with smash-'em-up cartoon violence, particularly a final sequence that pulls out all the stops -- explosions, electrocutions, jet-ski chases, and more. Other scenes include multiple martial arts fights, wild driving, kids captured and held against their will, and some cartoonish scary villains. Many bad guys' off-camera deaths are a result of the young lead's heroics. Mild, campy sexuality includes some revealing clothing, a comic scene in which the young hero is instructed in ways to attract girls, X-ray vision glimpses of undies, and a few leering males and breast jokes. Occasional potty humor and coarse language ("crap," "screwed"), and twice the hero is asked, "Are you in Special Ed?" -- meant as an insult. —Common Sense Media (Photo: MGM)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that fans of the eponymous book will love watching an updated Harriet explore her world and write what she sees. The film, aimed at 9- to 12-year-olds, will have these kids squirming in their seats when Harriet meets her Waterloo. But older kids who loved the book will want to see it, too. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Paramount Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that "The 39 Steps" is Hitchcock at his best. All the plot twists and turns, suspenseful surprises, and subtle clues are in effect here. While the violence is not graphic (especially by today's standards), characters are shown dying from being stabbed or shot. As was standard in 1930s films, characters smoke cigarettes and pipes. Some tame sexual innuendo, too. Overall, for fans of Hitchcock, and suspense films in general, "The 39 Steps" is essential viewing. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Scott Entertainment)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that kids are more likely to want to see this broad spy comedy because of stars Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson than because it's based on the classic TV show (though that might be a draw for some parents). The movie version is a bit edgier than the series -- it's got some swearing and a good bit of action -- but it's by no means for adults only. The physical humor will definitely appeal to kids, though because of the frequent use of guns and other weapons by both the good and bad guys -- sometimes with relish -- the movie is most appropriate for older tweens and up. Expect a few cheap-shot jokes made at the expense of the overweight and some political barbs, though the latter will likely go over the head of younger viewers. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Warner Bros.)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that there is a near constant barrage of sexual innuendo in this James Bond spoof. Parents may find the vulgar laughs and sight gags inappropriate for 'tweens, but 13-year-old and older kids will probably laugh all the way through it. —Common Sense Media (Photo: New Line)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that teens are absolutely going to want to see this much-hyped re-start to the James Bond franchise. The new 007, however, is darker than previous incarnations. His sly, barely perceptible smile suggests that he relishes revenge and takes pleasure in his violence. The film is full of violence, including spectacular explosions, intense physical fights, shooting, knifing, cars crashing, and drowning. Dead bodies show blood and vacant-eyed faces. A torture scene (featuring a naked Bond) shows him in obvious pain as his genitals are smashed with a large, knotted rope. One main character meets a sad demise. Sex scenes show Bond with two different women, in various states of undress. Lots of martini-drinking as Bond discovers his drink of choice (thanks to liquor sponsors Heineken and Smirnoff). The language is pretty mild. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Sony)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that teen action fans will definitely be drawn to the James Bond series -- and the movies play on TV so often they're hard to avoid. Per all Bond films, expect plenty of sexual energy and innuendo from 007. Though it's delivered in a frothy way, it's still pervasive. And yes, this is the Bond movie with a character named Pussy Galore. While she's depicted as an intelligent, skilled aircraft pilot, she falls literally head over heels for Bond during some rough foreplay. There are also plenty of explosions, car chases, and general action set pieces sprinkled throughout the movie. Bond is a frequent drinker who doesn't really suffer from any adverse effects. Goldfinger's henchmen and collaborators are largely Japanese men, which means that all Japanese characters in the film appear to be evil (although there are no racial slurs used or verbal stereotyping). A woman is murdered by having her naked body covered in gold (she's only shown from behind). —Common Sense Media (Photo: United Artists)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that this is an action-packed, suspense-filled film that will appeal to adults and some teens, with lots of fighting, danger, and characters killed in unusual ways. There are some bloody visuals: clothes, hands, knifings, and a woman shot to death. Still, much of the violence is suggested rather than shown either using wide shots or with the camera cutting away before a grisly death actually happens. Adventurous stunts include daring fights and chases along with explosions, flooding, crashes through glass, a helicopter in pursuit of a high speed train with men fighting atop it, and a death-defying burglary of an impregnable security installation. The film contains occasional mild cursing, some smoking and drinking, a few drugs administered to subdue those who may be a threat, and a hint of a possible sexual indiscretion. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Paramount Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that this thrilling action movie is packed with violence, including machine gun fights, intense hand-to-hand combat, a stabbing, and several glimpses of dead bodies with bullet holes or other wounds. Several scenes are packed with tension as the main characters evade police or other threats. Some angry confrontations turn violent. In one scene a character uses a dead body as a shield and a cushion for a long fall. The main characters embrace and kiss passionately in one scene without wearing shirts, though no nudity is shown. Language is strong, but not constant. —Common Sense Media (Photo: Universal Pictures)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that this entertaining thriller combines an action blockbuster (that means lots of big explosions) and a screwball comedy about a married couple who are both hiding big secrets. The wife is contemplating an affair and ends up being pressured to pretend she’s a secret agent, while the husband is the real deal, a suave superspy who has convinced his family that he’s actually a boring computer salesman. Not only does it deliver plenty of excitement, it also has some astute things to say about honesty and ennui in marriage. The wife performs a risqué striptease in her underwear, and there’s a good deal of swearing. Also expect plenty of violence, including gunfights, car chases, some graphic hand-to-hand combat, and even a nuclear explosion. —Common Sense Media (Photo: 20th Century Fox)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

Parents need to know that "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" (adapted from a classic John le Carre spy novel) is an intelligent, adult movie. Violence isn't constant but includes guns and shooting, dead bodies, blood and gore, and violence against women (a mother is killed while nursing her baby, and another woman's head is beaten against a window). Language is also infrequent but includes a few uses of "f--k." There's also some nudity and onscreen sex (toplessness, a woman shown from behind while atop a man, etc.), plus some innuendo. Since the story is set in the early 1970s, characters smoke cigarettes freely and drink casually. For grown-ups and mature teens, this is a terrific film, arguably one of the best spy movies ever made.—Common Sense Media (Photo: Focus Features)The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.